Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

Iran nuclear expert Avner Vilan praised the Mossad's ability to locate Ahmadinejad, but blamed the circumstances on Netanyahu's desire to go to war with Khamenei's assassination as the goal.

Information, including from The Jerusalem Post's own Western sources, indicates that Mossad sought to replace Ali Khamenei with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

For years, Israel conducted a covert operation aimed at recruiting former Iranian president Ahmadinejad as an intelligence asset and, at a later stage, even planned to install him as Iran’s leader.

Ahmadinejad is one of many leaders and former leaders of Iran whose fates have been entwined with the war. Some reports suggested that Ahmadinejad might actually be helpful in some form.

His funeral, delayed due to the ongoing war, began on Saturday with chants of "death to America, death to Israel," while the ceremonies are expected to last at least a week.

Public opinion shapes political pressure. Political pressure shapes military decisions. And media narratives shape public opinion.

Such a move would “discourage and demoralize the millions of Iranians who, both inside Iran and across the world, have openly chanted the name of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi as the alternative."

With the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, it was believed that Ahmadinejad had the religious clout to take up the reins. How would he take over the presidency with Masoud Pezeshkian still in office?

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise. 

An associate of Ahmadinejad told the NYT that the Americans viewed Mr. Ahmadinejad as someone who could lead Iran and manage “Iran’s political, social, and military situation.”